New Zealand: Businesses await insurance payout for Rena disaster

Business owners in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand who suffered huge financial losses during the 2011 MV Rena disaster are still awaiting compensation, Newstalk ZB reported.

They said compensation requests to the Swedish Club, the ship's insurer, have not had any effect. Nevan Lancaster of the Rena Business Action Group said a court-ordered mediation with Swedish Club is scheduled for next month. Mr. Lancaster also said Mediterranean Shipping Co., which at the time was chartering the Rena and "actually had no liability, came through with a million dollars," reports Newstalk ZB.